Method for Processing a Workpiece Using a Multi-Cycle Thermal Treatment Process

ABSTRACT

A method for processing a workpiece is provided. The method can include placing a workpiece on a susceptor disposed within a processing chamber. The method can include performing a multi-cycle thermal treatment process on the workpiece in the processing chamber. The multi-cycle thermal treatment process can include at least two thermal cycles. Each thermal cycle of the at least two thermal cycles can include performing a first treatment on the workpiece at a first temperature; heating a device side surface of the workpiece to a second temperature in less than one second; performing a second treatment on the workpiece at approximately the second temperature; and cooling the workpiece subsequent to performing the second treatment.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is related and claims the benefit of priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/685,564, filed on Jun. 15,2018, entitled “Method for Processing a Workpiece Using a Multi-CycleThermal Treatment Process,” the entirety of which is incorporated byreference for all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a method for processing aworkpiece using a multi-cycle thermal treatment process.

BACKGROUND

In semiconductor processing, advanced film deposition or removalprocesses can be implemented to process a workpiece, such as asemiconductor wafer. The film deposition or removal processes caninclude repetitive thermal cycles. For instance, atomic layer depositionor etch processes can include multiple cycles of alternating surfacetreatment and surface activation processes in which material isdeposited or removed from the workpiece during each cycle. In someinstances, the surface activation and surface treatment processes can beperformed at different temperatures. For instance, the surfaceactivation process can include an annealing or a surface chemicalreaction occurring at a temperature that is elevated compared to atemperature at which the surface treatment step is performed. Whenmultiple surface activation and/or surface treatment processes areneeded to process the workpiece, an amount of time required to implementthe processes can limit the throughput (e.g., number of workpiecesmanufactured) of the semiconductor manufacturing process.

SUMMARY

Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will beset forth in part in the following description, or may be learned fromthe description, or may be learned through practice of the embodiments.

One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method forprocessing a workpiece. The method can include placing a workpiece on asusceptor disposed within a processing chamber. The method can includeperforming a multi-cycle thermal treatment process on the workpiece inthe processing chamber. The multi-cycle thermal treatment process caninclude at least two thermal cycles. Each thermal cycle of the at leasttwo thermal cycles can include performing a first treatment on theworkpiece at a first temperature; heating a device side surface of theworkpiece to a second temperature; performing a second treatment on theworkpiece at approximately the second temperature; and cooling theworkpiece subsequent to performing the second treatment. The thermalcycles can be performed in the same processing chamber without having toremove the workpiece from the processing chamber.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of various embodimentswill become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the present disclosure and, together with thedescription, serve to explain the related principles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Detailed discussion of embodiments directed to one of ordinary skill inthe art are set forth in the specification, which makes reference to theappended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of an example workpiece processingapparatus according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts a flow diagram of a method for processing a workpieceaccording to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of an example multi-cycle thermaltreatment process according to example embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts an example susceptor according to example embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 5 depicts a graphical representation of a multi-cycle thermaltreatment process according to example embodiments of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 6 depicts an example plasma processing apparatus according toexample embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments, one or moreexamples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example isprovided by way of explanation of the embodiments, not limitation of thepresent disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various modifications and variations can be made to theembodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the presentdisclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part ofone embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that aspects of the presentdisclosure cover such modifications and variations.

Example aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method forprocessing a workpiece using a multi-cycle thermal treatment process.The method can include placing the workpiece on a susceptor disposedwithin a processing chamber. The method can include implementing themulti-cycle thermal treatment process on the workpiece while theworkpiece is disposed within the processing chamber. The multi-cyclethermal treatment process can include multiple thermal cycles. Eachthermal cycle can be performed in the same processing chamber withouthaving to remove the workpiece from the processing chamber. Subsequentto performing the multi-cycle thermal treatment process, the method caninclude removing the workpiece from the processing chamber.

In some embodiments, each cycle of the multi-cycle thermal treatmentprocess can include performing a first treatment on the workpiece at afirst temperature. For instance, performing the first treatment includesexposing the workpiece to one or more species generated in a remoteplasma chamber. Alternatively and/or additionally, performing the firsttreatment can include exposing the workpiece to one or more gases.

In some embodiments, each cycle of the multi-cycle thermal treatmentprocess can include heating a device side surface of the workpiece to asecond temperature. More specifically, one or more flash lamps disposedwithin the processing chamber can be configured to heat the device sidesurface of the workpiece. In some embodiments, the one or more flashlamps can be configured to heat the device side surface of the workpieceto the second temperature in less than about one second. For instance,the one or more flash lamps can be configured to heat the device sidesurface of the workpiece to the second temperature in about 0.5milliseconds to about 10 milliseconds. In some embodiments, the one ormore lamps can be configured to heat the device side surface of theworkpiece to the second temperature in less than about 1.0 millisecond.

In some embodiments, each cycle of the multi-cycle thermal treatmentprocess can include performing a second treatment on the workpiece atapproximately the second temperature. The second treatment process can,in some embodiments, include exposing the device side surface of theworkpiece to one or more gases. Alternatively and/or additionally, thesecond treatment process can include exposing the device side surface ofthe workpiece to one or more species generated in a remote plasmachamber. In some embodiments, the second treatment can includeimplementing a chemical reaction on the device side surface of theworkpiece.

In some embodiments, each cycle of the multi-cycle thermal treatmentprocess can include cooling the workpiece subsequent to performing thesecond treatment. For instance, the workpiece bulk and/or a susceptordisposed within the processing chamber and supporting the workpiece canbe configured to cool the workpiece after the second treatment performedat the second temperature. In some embodiments, the susceptor can beconfigured to accommodate a flow of fluid to cool the workpiece. Itshould be appreciated that the flow of fluid can be comprised of anysuitable fluid (e.g., liquid or gas). For example, the flow of fluid canbe comprised of Freon. As another example, the fluid can be comprised ofwater. As yet another example, the fluid can be comprised of ethyleneglycol. As still another example, the fluid can be comprised of ethyleneglycol and water.

In some embodiments, the multi-cycle thermal treatment process can beassociated with an atomic layer deposition process. Alternatively and/oradditionally, the multi-cycle thermal treatment process can beassociated with an atomic layer etch process. In some embodiments, alayer of material can be removed from the workpiece during each cycle ofthe multi-cycle thermal treatment process. Alternatively and/oradditionally, a layer of material can be deposited onto the workpieceduring each cycle of the multi-cycle thermal treatment process.

In some embodiments, a method for processing a workpiece can includeplacing a workpiece on a susceptor disposed within a processing chamber.The method can include performing a multi-cycle thermal treatmentprocess comprising at least two thermal cycles. Each thermal cycle ofthe at least two thermal cycles can include performing a first treatmenton the workpiece at a first temperature; heating a device side surfaceof the workpiece to a second temperature; performing a second treatmenton the workpiece at approximately the second temperature; and coolingthe workpiece subsequent to performing the second treatment.

In some embodiments, one or more flash lamps can be used to heat thedevice side surface of the workpiece to the second temperature. Morespecifically, the one or more flash lamps can heat the device sidesurface of the workpiece to the second temperature in less than aboutone second.

In some embodiments, cooling the workpiece includes cooling theworkpiece using the susceptor. More specifically, the susceptor can beconfigured to accommodate a flow of fluid to cool the workpiece. In someembodiments, the fluid includes Freon. It should be appreciated,however, that any suitable fluid (e.g., gas, liquid) can be used to coolthe workpiece. As an example, the fluid can be comprised of water. Asanother example, the fluid can be comprised of ethylene glycol. As yetanother example, the fluid can be comprised of ethylene glycol andwater.

In some embodiments, performing the first treatment process includesexposing the device side surface of the workpiece to one or more speciesgenerated in a remote plasma chamber. Alternatively and/or additionally,performing the first treatment includes exposing the device side surfaceof the workpiece to one or more gases.

In some embodiments, performing the second treatment process includesexposing the device side surface of the workpiece to one or more gases.Alternatively and/or additionally, performing the second treatmentcomprises exposing the device side surface of the workpiece to one ormore species generated in a remote plasma chamber. In some embodiments,a grid is disposed between the remote plasma chamber and the processingchamber.

In some embodiments, the second treatment comprises an anneal treatment.Alternatively and/or additionally, the second treatment comprisesimplementing a chemical reaction on the device side surface of theworkpiece.

In some embodiments, a method for processing a workpiece includesplacing a workpiece on a susceptor disposed within a processing chamber.The method includes performing a multi-cycle thermal treatment processon the workpiece while the workpiece is within the processing chamber(e.g., and without having to remove the workpiece from the processingchamber). The multi-cycle thermal treatment process includes performinga first treatment on the workpiece at a first temperature; heating adevice side surface of the workpiece to a second temperature; performinga second treatment on the workpiece at the second temperature; andcooling the workpiece subsequent to performing the second treatment.Subsequent to cooling the workpiece, the multi-cycle thermal treatmentprocess includes performing a third treatment on the workpiece at thefirst temperature. Subsequent to performing the third treatment, themulti-cycle thermal treatment process includes heating the device sidesurface of the workpiece to approximately the second temperature.Subsequent to performing the third treatment, the multi-cycle thermaltreatment process includes performing a fourth treatment on theworkpiece at approximately the second temperature. Subsequent toperforming the fourth treatment, the multi-cycle thermal treatmentprocess includes cooling the workpiece. In some embodiments, one or moreflash lamps can be used to heat the device side surface of the workpieceto the second temperature in less than one second.

In some embodiments, the third treatment is equivalent to the firsttreatment. Alternatively and/or additionally, the fourth treatment isequivalent to the second treatment. In some embodiments, both the secondtreatment and the fourth treatment include an anneal treatment. In someembodiments, both the second treatment and the fourth treatment includeimplementing a chemical reaction on the device side surface of theworkpiece.

The methods according to example aspects of the present disclosureprovide numerous technical benefits. For instance, heating the deviceside surface of the workpiece with one or more flash lamps or other heatsources can reduce the amount of time that is needed to raise thetemperature of the device side surface from the first temperature to thesecond temperature. Additionally, cooling the workpiece with thesusceptor can reduce the amount of time that is needed to lower thetemperature from the second temperature to the first temperature. Inthis manner, the amount of time required for each cycle of themulti-cycle thermal treatment process can be reduced. Because multiplethermal cycles can be implemented in the same processing chamber, thetime for cycling between processing chambers (e.g., for heating andcooling) can be reduced, leading to faster processing times.

Aspects of the present disclosure are discussed with reference to a“wafer” or semiconductor wafer for purposes of illustration anddiscussion. Those of ordinary skill in the art, using the disclosuresprovided herein, will understand that the example aspects of the presentdisclosure can be used in association with any semiconductor substrateor other suitable substrate. It should be appreciated that the workpiececan include a device side surface that can include one or more devicestructures, films, or layers that are annealed during the energy pulse.The workpiece can also include an opposing non-device side surface thatcan include no device structures. As used herein, use of the term“about” or “approximately” in conjunction with a numerical value isintended to refer to within ten percent (10%) of the stated numericalvalue.

Referring now to the FIGS., FIG. 1 depicts a workpiece processingapparatus 100 that can be used to perform processes according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the workpieceprocessing apparatus 100 defines a processing chamber 110. Theprocessing chamber 110 can include a susceptor 120 operable to hold aworkpiece 130 to be processed, such as a semiconductor wafer. In someembodiments, the workpiece 130 can be placed on the susceptor 120 suchthat a non-device side surface 132 of the workpiece 130 contacts thesusceptor 120.

In some embodiments, the workpiece processing apparatus 100 can includeone or more flash lamps 140 configured to emit light onto the workpiece130. More specifically, the one or more flash lamps 140 can emit lightonto a device side surface 134 of the workpiece 130. It should beappreciated that the device side surface 134 of the workpiece 130 isopposite to the non-device side surface 132 of the workpiece 130.

The flash lamps 140 can be, for instance, an arc lamp, halogen lamp, orother lamp heat source (e.g., LED lamp heat source). Aspects of thepresent disclosure are discussed with reference to flash lamps 140 forpurposes of illustration and discussion. Other heat sources, such as,but not limited to, a hot plate or susceptor, a hot gas stream, radiantheat sources, such as lasers, heat sources producing particle beams,heat sources producing RF, or heat sources producing microwave, can beused without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, a dielectric window 150 is located above theworkpiece 100 and acts as a ceiling of the processing chamber 110. Asshown, the one or more lamps 140 can be disposed outside the processingchamber 110. More specifically, the one or more flash lamps 140 can beconfigured to emit light through the dielectric window 150 and into theprocessing chamber 120. In this manner, the one or more flash lamps 140can heat the device side surface 134 of the workpiece 130.

In some embodiments, the workpiece processing apparatus 100 can includea control device 160 that is operatively coupled to the one or moreflash lamps 140. In this manner, the control device 160 can beconfigured to control operation of the one or more flash lamps 140. Insome embodiments, the control device 160 can include a processor andassociated memory configured to perform a variety ofcomputer-implemented functions. As used herein, the term “processor”refers not only to integrated circuits referred to in the art as beingincluded in a computer, but also refers to a controller,microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC),an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a Field ProgrammableGate Array (FPGA), and other programmable circuits. Additionally, thememory can include memory element(s) including, but not limited to,computer readable medium (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), computerreadable non-volatile medium (e.g., flash memory), and/or other suitablememory elements or combinations thereof.

Additionally, the control device 160 can include a communicationsinterface. In some implementations, the communications interface caninclude associated electronic circuitry that is used to send and receivedata. In this manner, the control device 160 can send one or morecommand signals to the one or more flash lamps 140 and/or othercontrollable aspects of the processing apparatus 100 via thecommunications interface.

FIG. 2 depicts a flow diagram of an example method 200 for processing aworkpiece according to example aspects of the present disclosure. Themethod 200 can be implemented using the workpiece processing apparatus100 discussed above with reference to FIG. 1. However, it should beappreciated that the method 200 can be implemented using otherapproaches without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.For instance, the method 200 can be implemented using a plasmaprocessing apparatus 600 depicted in FIG. 6. It should be appreciatedthat FIG. 2 depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposesof illustration and discussion. However, those of ordinary skill in theart, using the disclosure provided herein, will understand that varioussteps of the method 200 described herein can be omitted, expanded,performed simultaneously, rearranged, and/or modified in various wayswithout deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition,various additional steps (not illustrated) can be performed withoutdeviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

At (202), the method 200 can including placing the workpiece on thesusceptor disposed within the processing chamber. For instance, theworkpiece can be placed on the susceptor such that a non-device sidesurface of the workpiece contacts the susceptor.

At (204), the method 200 can include performing a multi-cycle thermaltreatment process on the workpiece while in the processing chamber. Forinstance, a multi-cycle thermal treatment process can be performed onthe workpiece in the processing chamber. As will be discussed below inmore detail, the multi-cycle thermal treatment process can include atleast two thermal cycles. The at least two thermal cycles can beperformed without having to remove the workpiece from the processingchamber.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of an example multi-cycle thermaltreatment process according to example embodiments of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 3 depicts steps performed in a particular order forpurposes of illustration and discussion. Those of ordinary skill in theart, using the disclosure provided herein, will understand that varioussteps of the multi-cycle thermal treatment process described herein canbe omitted, expanded, performed simultaneously, rearranged, and/ormodified in various ways without deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure. In addition, various additional steps (not illustrated) canbe performed without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

At (302), the multi-cycle thermal treatment process can includeperforming a first treatment on the workpiece at approximately a firsttemperature. For example a first treatment can be performed on theworkpiece while the workpiece is at the first temperature. The firsttreatment can be a surface treatment process, such as a surfacetreatment processes used as part of an atomic layer deposition processand/or an atomic layer etch process. In some embodiments, the firsttreatment can include exposing the device side surface of the workpieceto one or more gases. In some embodiments, the first treatment caninclude exposing the device side surface of the workpiece to one or morespecies (e.g. neutral radicals) generated in a remote plasma chamber ofa plasma processing apparatus (e.g., the plasma processing apparatus ofFIG. 6).

At (304), the multi-cycle thermal treatment process can include heatingthe workpiece to approximately a second temperature. The secondtemperature can be greater than the first temperature. For instance, insome embodiments, the workpiece 130 can be heated to the secondtemperature via the one or more flash lamps 140 or other heat source. Inexample embodiments, the control device can control operation of the oneor more flash lamps or other heat source such that the one or more flashlamps heat the device side surface of the workpiece to the secondtemperature in less than one second, such as less than 1 millisecond,such as between 0.5 milliseconds and 10 milliseconds.

Other heating elements can be used to heat the workpiece to the secondtemperature. For instance, the workpiece can be heated to the secondtemperature via the susceptor. In example embodiments, the susceptor caninclude one or more heating elements configured to provide heat to theworkpiece. Additionally, the control device can be operatively coupledto one or more heating elements. In this manner, the control device cancontrol operation of the one or more heating elements to heat theworkpiece to the second temperature.

At (306), the multi-cycle thermal treatment process can includeperforming a second treatment on the workpiece at approximately thesecond temperature. The second treatment can be a surface activationprocess, such as a surface activation processes used as part of anatomic layer deposition process and/or an atomic layer etch process. Insome embodiments, the second treatment can include exposing the deviceside surface of the workpiece to one or more gases. In some embodiments,the second treatment can include exposing the device side surface of theworkpiece to one or more species (e.g. neutral radicals) generated in aremote plasma chamber of a plasma processing apparatus (e.g., the plasmaprocessing apparatus of FIG. 6). In some embodiments, the secondtreatment can include annealing the workpiece. In some embodiments, thesecond treatment can include implementing a chemical reaction on thedevice side surface of the workpiece.

At (308), the multi-cycle thermal treatment process can include coolingthe workpiece. For instance, the workpiece bulk can facilitate rapidcooling of the workpiece, because the workpiece bulk is not heated asrapidly as the workpiece surface during heating of the workpiece fromthe first temperature to the second temperature. As a result, theworkpiece bulk facilitates cooling of the workpiece surface after thesecond treatment. In example embodiments, the susceptor can beconfigured to cool the workpiece. For instance, in some embodiments, thesusceptor can be configured to accommodate a flow of fluid to cool theworkpiece.

FIG. 4 depicts an example susceptor 400 configured to accommodatecooling of a workpiece according to example embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The susceptor 400 extends between a first side 402 and asecond side 404 along a lateral direction L, and between a top portion406 and a bottom portion along a vertical direction V. In someembodiments, the susceptor 400 defines an inlet 420 and an outlet 422.In this manner, a flow of fluid 430 can enter and exit the interior ofthe susceptor 400. As shown, the inlet 420 can be defined on the firstside 402 of the susceptor 400, and the outlet 422 can be defined on thesecond side 404 of the susceptor 400. It should be appreciated, however,that the inlet 420 and outlet 422 can be located at any suitablelocation on the susceptor 400.

In some embodiments, the flow of fluid 430 can flow into and out of aheat exchanger 450. It should also be appreciated that the flow of fluid430 can be comprised of any suitable liquid or gaseous substance. Forexample, in some embodiments, the flow of fluid 430 can be comprised ofFreon. As another example, the flow of fluid 430 can be comprised ofwater. As yet another example, the flow of fluid 430 can be comprised ofethylene glycol. As still another example, the flow of fluid 430 can becomprised of ethylene glycol and water.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the multi-cycle thermal treatment process caninclude, at (310), performing a third treatment on the workpiece atapproximately the first temperature. In example embodiments, the thirdtreatment process can be the same (e.g., equivalent) as the firsttreatment performed at (302).

At (312), the multi-cycle thermal treatment process can include heatingthe device side surface of the workpiece to approximately the secondtemperature. In example embodiments, the control device can controloperation of the one or more flash lamps or other heat source such thatthe one or more flash lamps heat the device side surface of theworkpiece to the second temperature in less than one second, such asless than 1 millisecond, such as between 0.5 milliseconds and 10milliseconds.

At (314), the multi-cycle thermal treatment process can includeperforming a fourth treatment on the workpiece at approximately thesecond temperature. In example embodiments, the fourth treatment processcan be the same (e.g., equivalent) as the second treatment performed at(306). In some embodiments, the second treatment and the fourthtreatment can include a surface activation process. For instance, boththe second treatment and the fourth treatment can include an annealtreatment. Alternatively and/or additionally, both the second treatmentand the fourth treatment can include implementing a chemical reaction onthe device side surface of the workpiece.

At (316), the multi-cycle thermal treatment process can include coolingthe workpiece. Although the multi-cycle thermal treatment processdepicted in FIG. 4 depicts only two cycles, it should be appreciatedthat the multi-cycle thermal treatment process can include any suitablenumber of cycles needed to process the workpiece.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a graphical representation of a multi-cyclethermal treatment processes is provided according to example embodimentsof the present disclosure. As shown, changes in the temperature of theworkpiece can occur during the multi-cycle thermal treatment process.More specifically, FIG. 5 depicts a plurality of cycles 510 indicativeof the temperature of the wafer transitioning from a first temperature520 to a second temperature 530 and then cooling to the firsttemperature 520. In some embodiments, a difference between about thefirst temperature 520 and about the second temperature 530 can begreater than 100 degrees Kelvin.

In example embodiments, the heat source(s) can be controlled to raisethe temperature of the workpiece from the first temperature 520 to thesecond temperature 530 in less than about one second, such as in lessthan about 1 ms, such as between 0.5 ms and 10 ms. The workpiece can berapidly cooled to approximately the first temperature 520 to completethe cycle 510. In some embodiments, the time to cool from the secondtemperature 530 to approximately the first temperature 520 can be lessthan about one second, such as in less than about 1 ms, such as between0.5 ms and 10 ms. The time between cycles 510 can be greater than aduration of each cycle 510.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the method 200 can, at (206), includeremoving the workpiece from the processing chamber subsequent toperforming the multi-cycle thermal treatment process at (204). In thisway, multiple thermal cycles can be implemented without having to removethe workpiece from the processing chamber.

As discussed above, in some embodiments, a thermal cycle can includeexposing a surface of the workpiece to species generated using a plasma.For instance, the method can include exposing a surface of the workpieceto species (e.g., neutral radicals) generated in a remote plasma sourceseparated from the processing chamber by a separation grid.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an example plasma processing apparatus 600 thatcan be used to expose a surface of the workpiece to species (e.g.,neutral radicals) is provided. As illustrated, the plasma processingapparatus 600 includes a processing chamber 610 and a plasma chamber 620that is separated from the processing chamber 610. The processingchamber 610 includes a susceptor 612 operable to hold a workpiece 614 tobe processed, such as a semiconductor wafer. In some embodiments, thesusceptor 612 can be configured to accommodate a flow of fluid to coolthe workpiece (see e.g., FIG. 4). It should be appreciated that the flowof fluid can be comprised of any suitable fluid (e.g., liquid or gas).For example, the flow of fluid can, in some embodiments, can includeFreon. As another example, the flow of fluid can be comprised of water.As yet another example, the flow of fluid can be comprised of ethyleneglycol. As still another example, the flow of fluid can be comprised ofethylene glycol and water.

In this example illustration, a plasma is generated in plasma chamber620 (i.e., plasma generation region) by an inductively coupled plasmasource 635 and desired species are channeled from the plasma chamber 620to the surface of the workpiece 614 through a separation grid assembly640.

Aspects of the present disclosure are discussed with reference to aninductively coupled plasma source for purposes of illustration anddiscussion. Those of ordinary skill in the art, using the disclosuresprovided herein, will understand that any plasma source (e.g.,inductively coupled plasma source, capacitively coupled plasma source,etc.) can be used without deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

The plasma chamber 620 includes a dielectric side wall 622 and a ceiling624. The dielectric side wall 622, ceiling 624, and separation gridassembly 640 define a plasma chamber interior 625. Dielectric side wall622 can be formed from a dielectric material, such as quartz and/oralumina. The inductively coupled plasma source 635 can include aninduction coil 630 disposed adjacent the dielectric side wall 622 aboutthe plasma chamber 620. The induction coil 630 is coupled to an RF powergenerator 634 through a suitable matching network 632. Process gases(e.g., an inert gas) can be provided to the chamber interior from a gassupply 650 and annular gas distribution channel 651 or other suitablegas introduction mechanism. When the induction coil 630 is energizedwith RF power from the RF power generator 634, a plasma can be generatedin the plasma chamber 620. In a particular embodiment, the plasmaprocessing apparatus 600 can include an optional grounded Faraday shield628 to reduce capacitive coupling of the induction coil 630 to theplasma.

As shown in FIG. 6, the separation grid assembly 640 separates theplasma chamber 620 from the processing chamber 610. The separation grid640 can be used to perform ion filtering from a mixture generated byplasma in the plasma chamber 620 to generate a filtered mixture. Thefiltered mixture can be exposed to the workpiece 614 in the processingchamber.

In some embodiments, the separation grid 640 can be a multi-plateseparation grid. For instance, the separation grid 240 can include afirst grid plate 642 and a second grid plate 644 that are spaced apartin parallel relationship to one another. The first grid plate 642 andthe second grid plate 644 can be separated by a distance.

The first grid plate 642 can have a first grid pattern having aplurality of holes. The second grid plate 644 can have a second gridpattern having a plurality of holes. The first grid pattern can be thesame as or different from the second grid pattern. Charged particles canrecombine on the walls in their path through the holes of each gridplate 642, 644 in the separation grid assembly 640. Neutral species(e.g., radicals) can flow relatively freely through the holes in thefirst grid plate 642 and the second grid plate 644. The size of theholes and thickness of each grid plate 642 and 644 can affecttransparency for both charged and neutral particles.

In some embodiments, the first grid plate 642 can be made of metal(e.g., aluminum) or other electrically conductive material and/or thesecond grid plate 644 can be made from either an electrically conductivematerial or dielectric material (e.g., quartz, ceramic, etc.). In someembodiments, the first grid plate 642 and/or the second grid plate 644can be made of other materials, such as silicon or silicon carbide. Inthe event a grid plate is made of metal or other electrically conductivematerial, the grid plate can be grounded.

In some embodiments, the plasma processing apparatus 600 can include oneor more flash lamps 660 or other heat source disposed within theprocessing chamber 610. In this manner, the one or more flash lamps 660can be configured to heat the workpiece 614. More specifically, the oneor more flash lamps 660 can emit light onto a device side surface 616 ofthe workpiece 614. It should be appreciated that the flash lamps 660 canbe located elsewhere with respect to the processing chamber 610 withoutdeviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the plasma processing apparatus 600 can include acontrol device 670 that is operatively coupled to the one or more flashlamps 660. In this manner, the control device 670 can be configured tocontrol operation of the one or more flash lamps 660. In someembodiments, the control device 670 can include a processor andassociated memory configured to perform a variety ofcomputer-implemented functions.

Additionally, the control device 670 can include a communicationsinterface. In some implementations, the communications interface caninclude associated electronic circuitry that is used to send and receivedata. In this manner, the control device 670 can send one or morecommand signals to the one or more flash lamps 660 via thecommunications interface. In some embodiments, operation of the one ormore flash lamps 660 can be controlled based, at least in part, on theone or more command signals.

While the present subject matter has been described in detail withrespect to specific example embodiments thereof, it will be appreciatedthat those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of theforegoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, andequivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the presentdisclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, andthe subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of suchmodifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matteras would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

1. A method for processing a workpiece, the method comprising: placing aworkpiece on a susceptor disposed within a processing chamber;performing a multi-cycle thermal treatment process on the workpiecewhile the workpiece is disposed within the processing chamber, themulti-cycle thermal treatment process comprising at least two thermalcycles, each thermal cycle of the at least two thermal cyclescomprising: performing a first treatment on the workpiece at a firsttemperature, the first treatment comprising exposing the workpiece toone or more species generated in a remote plasma chamber; heating, byone or more flash lamps, a device side surface of the workpiece to asecond temperature; performing a second treatment on the workpiece atapproximately the second temperature, the second treatment comprising ananneal treatment; and subsequent to performing the second treatment,providing a flow of fluid through an interior of the susceptor to coolthe workpiece, wherein heating by one or more flash lamps a device sidesurface of the workpiece has a duration of less than about one second.2. The method of claim 1, wherein a layer of material is removed fromthe workpiece during each thermal cycle of the at least two thermalcycles.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein a layer of material isdeposited onto the workpiece during each thermal cycle of the at leasttwo thermal cycles. 4-5. (canceled)
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe flow of fluid comprises Freon fluid.
 7. The method of claim of claim1, wherein the flow of fluid comprises water.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the flow of fluid comprises ethylene glycol.
 9. (canceled) 10.The method of claim 1, wherein performing the first treatment comprisesexposing the device side surface of the workpiece to one or more gases.11. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the second treatmentcomprises exposing the device side surface of the workpiece to one ormore gases.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the secondtreatment comprises exposing the device side surface of the workpiece toone or more species generated in a remote plasma chamber.
 13. The methodof claim 12, wherein performing the second treatment further comprisesexposing the device side surface of the workpiece to one or more gases.14. The method of claim 13, wherein a grid is disposed between theremote plasma chamber and the processing chamber.
 15. (canceled)
 16. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the second treatment comprises implementing achemical reaction on the device side surface of the workpiece.
 17. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising removing the workpiece from theprocessing chamber subsequent to performing the multi-cycle thermaltreatment process.
 18. A method for processing a workpiece, the methodcomprising: placing a workpiece on a susceptor disposed within aprocessing chamber; performing a multi-cycle thermal treatment processon the workpiece while the workpiece is within the processing chamber,the multi-cycle thermal treatment process comprising: performing a firsttreatment on the workpiece at a first temperature, the first treatmentcomprising exposing the workpiece to one or more species generated in aremote plasma chamber; heating, by one or more flash lamps, a deviceside surface of the workpiece to a second temperature; performing asecond treatment on the workpiece at approximately the secondtemperature, the second treatment comprising an anneal treatment;subsequent to performing the second treatment, providing a flow of fluidthrough an interior of the susceptor to cool the workpiece; subsequentto providing the flow of fluid through the interior of the susceptor tocool the workpiece, performing a third treatment on the workpiece atapproximately the first temperature; subsequent to performing the thirdtreatment, heating, by the one or more flash lamps, the device sidesurface of the workpiece to approximately the second temperature;subsequent to performing the third treatment, performing a fourthtreatment on the workpiece at approximately the second temperature; andsubsequent to performing the fourth treatment, providing the flow offluid through the interior of the susceptor to cool the workpiece,wherein the one or more flash lamps heat the device side surface of theworkpiece to approximately the second temperature in less than about onesecond. 19-20. (canceled)